©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.

In my previous post, I mentioned that US President Barrack Obama has declared June as LGBT Pride Month in the United States:

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also has this to say:

And to celebrate LGBT Pride Month, the US Embassy in Manila threw a reception party here in the Philippines (one which I could not attend because I was, still am, stuck here in Pililla, Rizal).

Here’s the message of US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. at the reception in celebration of LGBT Pride Month:

Magandang gabi sa inyong ang lahat!

I am gay.

I am gay.

I am gay.

Three little words.

Six letters.

Three syllables.

It is not a phrase that trips the tongue.  It is not a phrase that should take lifetimes to utter.

But my friends, these are some of the hardest words in the English language—in any language—for many of our friends, colleagues, and family members. 

And this should not stand.

Our loved ones, our friends and our colleagues fear expressing their sexuality, condemned instead to a lifetime of anxiety and repression.

This should not be.

They are our brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers. Aunts and uncles.

Sons.

Daughters. 

These are not nameless, faceless members of a foreign or forgotten race.  They are our families and our friends.  And they are scared to be who they are.

They fear expressing their sexuality.  They cannot tell their own loved ones who they really are.  And I regret that there are those even in our Embassy community who fear coming out and expressing their true selves.

Why?  Because instead of expressing our love for all human beings, we choose instead to ostracize and exclude.

This will not continue.

Tonight, coming here together in this house for the first time, we are breaking new ground.  It should give us pause to reflect how LGBT persons across the world, in every country, from every culture, are breaking new ground every day, and breaking courageously through the barriers that hold them back.  As Saint Teresa of Avila once said, “To have courage for whatever comes in life — everything lies in that.”

Yet even with courage, many of us still struggle to overcome prejudices driven by factors no human can control: the color of our skin, the expression of our gender, and the nature of our sexuality.  While these prejudices are very real to us, many in the world can never understand. 

And the reaction by that world to those struggling with such prejudice is both disappointing and disheartening: “You are imagining things,” they say. “It’s not as bad as you say it is, and if it is, it’s not my fault.”

That one’s core being can be such an affront to others is one of the greatest tragedies of humankind.

It is a tragedy not only because of the pain and suffering it causes, but because it prevents people from doing, being, and becoming their best.  Sa diskriminasyon, maraming likas na galing at talino ang nasasayang. 

Discrimination based on difference, whether it’s age, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion, is wrong.  It deprives society of some of its most creative and productive members; it demoralizes communities.  It shatters families.

It is not acceptable, and it should not be tolerated.

The ambitious spirit of the Philippines’ LGBT community will no doubt carry it over these and other challenges.  Americans know from centuries of experience that the march against discrimination and prejudice is long and difficult, and sometimes it feels never-ending.

But we also know that every step forward makes life a little better here and now — and most certainly for future generations who will look back and marvel at the sacrifices and advances you all made, wondering at how you managed to accomplish so much.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am not tonight asking you to leave shouting that you are gay; I am not asking you to endanger yourselves in the face of other peoples’ hatred and blindness.  But I am asking you leave this place on this night with one thought and one goal: to protect and love someone.  Love is what matters; gender is not important.

In his Gay Pride Month proclamation, President Obama called upon Americans to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists, and to celebrate our great diversity.  Those are goals worthy of all people, everywhere, and I hope all of you here tonight will join me in their pursuit.

We are all different, but we must embrace and respect our differences.  We must come together through the very emotion that makes us human: love.

Bakla ako.

Tomboy ako.

Bakla kayo.

Tomboy kayo.

Pero lahat tayo ay tao.

Maraming salamat po.

It is very inspiring to see and know that institutions such as the US Embassy in Manila are supportive of our cause. It is also refreshing to see so many of our straight friends from different walks of life, different industries and fields support us.

But we must do more. We must continue the fight. You can be a part of this fight for LGBT equality by lobbying for the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill. Want to know how? Instructions are here.

Bakla ako. Ngunit higit sa lahat, ako ay tao.

©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.

It’s already June and what does that mean? PRIDE!

In the United States, President Barrack Obama recently proclaimed June 2011 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

Here’s a Calendar of Events in the Philippines, compiled by Task Force Pride Philippines.

For more information check out the Task Force Pride Blog or theiir Facebook page.

©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday, May 17, was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).  The whole world celebrated IDAHO and here are some of the messages from key supporters of the LGBT cause:

From U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton:

In every part of the world, men and women are persecuted and attacked because of who they are or whom they love. Homophobia, transphobia and the brutal hostility associated with them are often rooted in a lack of understanding of what it actually means to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). So to combat this terrible scourge and break the cycle of fear and violence, we must work together to improve education and support those who stand up against laws that criminalize love and promote hate. As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia this May 17, let us resolve to redouble our efforts.

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am proud to reaffirm our support for LGBT communities at home and abroad, and to call for an end to discrimination and mistreatment of LGBT persons wherever it occurs. Whether by supporting LGBT advocates marching in Belgrade, leading the effort at the United Nations to affirm the human rights of LGBT persons, or condemning a vile law under consideration in Uganda, we are committed to our friends and allies in every region of the world who are fighting for equality and justice. These are not Western concepts; these are universal human rights.

Despite these gains and hard work, there is more to do to turn the tide of inequality and discrimination against the LGBT community. If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, know that the United States stands with you and we are unwavering in our commitment to ending this cycle of hate.

And here’s a message from Lady Gaga:

“That Humanity could find Togertherness. We are all different and it is that which makes us the same”

Be yourself, love who you are and be proud. You were born this way, baby.”

In the Philippines, Outrage Magazine announced that the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia will see the launch of the “ALL EQUAL” campaign, with posters to be distributed to LGBT sites (online and off) in the Philippines. This comes in time when an anti-discrimination bill is being introduced in the House of Congress of the Philippines.

So what does this mean to every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender in the Philippines? It means that we should not stop fighting for our rights (and support the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill). It means that we should extend that “day” and turn into everyday!

If you have been watching the debates in the House of Representative on the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill), you would notice that some of our Congressmen are clearly devoid of LOGIC! These Congressmen, I assume, will be the same ones who will volunteer to interpellate the sponsor of the Anti-Discrimination Bill when its time comes (hopefully soon). Let’s just hope and pray that these supposed representatives of the people develop some sense of logic within them and not let their religious beliefs and their close-mindedness take over. Let’s hope they listen.  (Details of how you can support the Anti-Discrimination Bill here)

©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.

Whatever happened to the Mossimo Bikini Summit? Well, it’s still alive and kicking, but it goes by a new name (or rather, an extended name) now: Mr. and Ms. EcoTourism Philippines – The Mossimo Bikini Summit 2011 edition.

Mr. and Ms. Ecotourism Philippines is actually a flagship project of Galaxy Entertainment and Production Service. It seeks to enlighten the Filipino youth with regards to the importance of instilling patriotism and love of country in their hearts; this endeavour also seeks to entice the local Filipino tourists to patronize domestic tourism and to actively participate in making the Philippines a tourism haven in the world.

International fashion brand Mossimo, which annually holds their modelling search entitled Mossimo Bikini Summit, promoting love for health and wellness, has decided to integrate their search into Galaxy’s Mr. and Ms. Ecotourism.

The pageant is set on June 18, 2011 at CANYON COVE, Nasugbu, Batangas.

For more information, visit their OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Whew! That was a long one. And speaking of long, here are the male contestants vying for the title of Mr. EcoTourism Philippines 2011.  Find your favorites now!

[polldaddy poll=5046213]

©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.

As many of us already know, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) lost its franchise to crown the contestant to represent the country in the Miss World Competition. (Did you notice that the Three Reigning Queens crowned at the recently-concluded Binibining Pilipinas had a Bb. Pilipinas Tourism instead of Bb. Pilipinas World?)

Anyway, the franchise was awarded to Cory Quirino’s group. CQGlobal Quest is now handling the Miss World Philippines competition.

And the search is actually already underway.

Here’s the Calendar of Events of the Miss World Philippines 2011 search (taken from their official website):

Interested applicants to be contestants of Miss World Philippines 2011 may download the form here or direct from the Miss World Philippines 2011 website home.

For more information, you may contact the Miss World Philippines Secretariat:

Telephone Numbers: (632) 7894789 Ext. 7171, (632) 5472558

©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.

Nowadays, many people equate blogging with earning money. But the sad truth is that not all bloggers earn from their blogs. And the good truth is that not ll bloggers want to or expect to earn from their blogs. But for those who want to know more about earning from blogging, the Blog and Soul Movement has organized this series of seminars to help bloggers – old and new!

When: April 30 2011 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Where: Asian Institute of Management
Admission is free. Bring your friends.

FACEBOOK SIGN UP

The Blog & Soul is holding another session on April 30 to discuss what monetizing your blog really means. Included in the panel are veteran bloggers who earn from their blogs and representatives from advertising networks. We’re also trying to get business owners who have dealt with bloggers before (or are thinking of inviting bloggers) to attend, so we can discuss the expectations and responsibilities of each party.

So come one , come all and learn about the ropes of earning from blogging. Speakers will be volunteer bloggers and representatives from digital agencies.

©2012 Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?. All Rights Reserved.